Organized by the Jazz Association with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the festival will host special concerts for its 30th anniversary, as well as workshops, events for young musicians and an award ceremony.
The opening of the festival will be held with the concert of jazz drummer and filmmaker Richard Baratta, who will perform for the first time in Türkiye, following the 30th anniversary award ceremony to be held on November 16.
Festival Coordinator Selin Gonca, in her statement to the AA correspondent, said that the Jazz Association, established in 1995, aims to create a platform where Turkish jazz musicians can show themselves in the national and international arena.
Evaluating the past 30 years of the festival, Gonca said, "The important thing for us was that our festival was sustainable. We are really happy and proud that we achieved this." he said.
Referring to the development of jazz music in Türkiye, Gonca said:
"At first, jazz was not such a well-known genre of music. Now, jazz departments have been opened in schools in our own country. We are very happy that students in Türkiye go abroad and have the opportunity to study there, and that departments are opened in universities in our country. After our time, jazz festivals are held in almost every city. Jazz music is a universal music, and that's why we are really happy."
Explaining that they determined the theme of this year's festival in line with this understanding, Gonca said, "Jazz is world music. It is a music that can be listened to by everyone, of all ages, and can provide very different touches. That's why we used 'Jazz is Universal' as the theme of our festival this year." he said.
"All Ankara residents will be satisfied with music and jazz for 15 days"
Stating that the festival program includes internationally known names as well as important jazz musicians from Türkiye, Gonca stated that they will host the Richard Baratta Quartet from the USA in the opening concert.
Explaining that Baratta has also accomplished important work in the cinema industry, Gonca pointed out that the artist will perform his first performance in Türkiye within the scope of the festival.
Stating that Harmen Fraanje with the support of the Dutch Embassy, Jean-Baptiste Hardy Quartet with the support of the Institut Français and Jakub Mizeracki from Poland will also take the stage at the festival, Gonca said that jazz vocalists Deborah Davis and İlhan Erşahin from the USA will also come to the capital.
Gonca stated that important representatives of Turkish jazz music, Neşet Ruacan, Ferit Odman, Kerem Görsev, Dilek Sert Erdoğan and Sibel Köse were also included in the festival program and said, "We have prepared a really full calendar for 15 days. We can say that all Ankara residents will be satisfied with music and jazz." he said.
Gonca stated that, in addition to the concerts, events will be held that deal with jazz music from different aspects, and noted that Berk Kurdoğlu, who works at Hacettepe University, will hold a workshop on how to listen to jazz music.
"Young Stage" will be established for the first time at the festival
Stating that they will implement a new application for young musicians in the 30th year of the festival, Gonca said that they attach importance to young people who are interested in jazz music gaining stage experience.
Gonca said, "This year, we are making a first at the festival and establishing a young stage. Many groups will take the stage here. They are all young talents. We are very happy to have created a platform for them." he said.
Stating that the Light Music and Jazz Orchestra formed by Tevfik Fikret Schools students will also take the stage within the scope of events for young musicians, Gonca stated that they are proud and happy to include high school students in the festival program.
Scholarship opportunity for 9 students at home and abroad
Explaining the work carried out by the Jazz Association to contribute to the music education of young people, Gonca said, "This year, the Jazz Association provided scholarship opportunities to a total of 9 students, both abroad and at home, together with its own scholars and other contributors. This is our greatest happiness this year." he said.
Stating that the Janusz Szprot Memorial Concert, which will be held within the scope of the festival with the support of the Polish Embassy, has a special meaning this year, Gonca said that with the scholarship to be given for the first time, a student can go to Poland and do research on the country's jazz music.
Stating that jazz vocalist Sibel Köse will also take the stage at the concert, Gonca noted that the Polish Embassy has been contributing to the festival for many years.
Explaining that they also offer discounted and free ticket opportunities in order to increase students' participation in concerts, Gonca continued as follows:
"We receive applications through an open call from all schools and students who want to participate. We can define a special discount code for students. We can also offer suspended tickets. Depending on our availability, when they apply and contact us, we help them come to the festival and experience the concert."
Special award for 30-year supporters of the festival
Stating that the award ceremony to be held at the opening of the festival will be held in a different context this year, Gonca said, "This year, we will have special awards for the people who have supported our festival for 30 years. We will hold this award ceremony on November 16. Afterwards, we will go to the concert." he said.
Pointing out that public institutions, embassies, municipalities and various organizations have played an important role in the continuation of the festival for many years, Gonca emphasized that the organization is the product of a joint effort.
Gonca said, "It is not possible for us to realize this alone. The festival is held especially with the support of many institutions and organizations for years. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism supports our festival every year. It is actually a festival held in a collaborative manner, with the support of many institutions, organizations, embassies, municipalities. Everyone's support is very valuable." he said.
"The concerts of our artists such as Ferit Odman, Dilek Sert Erdoğan, Sibel Köse are also very valuable."
Gonca, who also made suggestions to music lovers about the festival program, drew attention to the performances of international artists who will come to Türkiye for the first time or have given a limited number of concerts in the country.
Gonca said, "I think the concert of Richard Baratta in our opening concert is very special. I recommend them to come. The concerts of our guests coming from the Netherlands, France and Poland will be very good. But the concerts of our artists such as Kerem Görsev, Ferit Odman, Dilek Sert Erdoğan, Sibel Köse, who are well known in Türkiye, are also very valuable." made his assessment.
Stating that the festival will be held in different parts of Ankara and in venues with various capacities, Gonca suggested that music lovers who choose the concerts they want to watch should purchase their tickets early.
The festival program and ticket information can be accessed on the website "cazdernegi.org".
